A Special Place

I am thrilled to introduce you to a new place to visit in blog land.  A special place!  A place where you can read the story of my little vintage trailer - Daffodil.  She has a blog.  Her own blog.  Stop by Daffodil’s Journey to follow her adventures in words and photos.  Share the journey she has begun to take from life as a little bud all the way to full bloom.  And beyond.  You will see her before – during – and after the transformation.  She’s waiting to meet you and hopes you will stop by soon.

A Story To Live By

(This story written by Ann Wells in the Los Angeles Times touched my heart and I wanted to share it with you today. There’s a lesson to learn here – a valuable lesson.)

My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister's bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package.  ‘This,’ he said, ‘is not a slip.  This is lingerie.’ He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip.  It was exquisite’ silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace.  The price tag with with an astronomical figure on it was still attached.  ‘Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least eight or nine years ago.  She never wore it.  She was saving it for a special occasion.  Well, I guess this is the occasion.’  He took the slip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician.  His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me.  ‘Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion.  Every day you’re alive is a special occasion.’

I remember those words through the funeral and the days that followed when I helped him and my niece attend to all the sad shores that follow an unexpected death.  I thought about them on the plane returning to California from the Midwestern town where my sister’s family lives.  I thought about all the things that she hadn’t seen or heard or done.  I thought about the things that she had done without realizing that they were special.  I’m still thinking about his words, and they’ve changed my life.

I’m reading more and dusting less.  I’m sitting on the deck and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden.

I’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings.  Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experience to savor, not endure.  I’m trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.
I’m not ‘saving’ anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event – such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom.

I wear my good blazer to the market if I feel like it.  My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out twenty eight dollars and forty nine cents for one small bag of groceries without wincing.

I’m not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as my party-going friends.
‘Someday’ and ‘one of these days’ are losing their grip on my vocabulary.  If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.  I’m not sure what my sister would have done had she known that she wouldn’t be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted.

It’s those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were limited.  Angry and sorry that I didn’t tell my husband and daughter often enough how much I truly love them.

I’m trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives.  And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special.  Every day, every minute, every breath truly is. . .a gift from God.

(I would love to hear how you make ‘special’ things part of your everyday life.  I’m making changes in the way I do things – I’m not waiting for company to use the ‘good’ dishes; I’m 'doing' my face and hair each day as if I am about to meet the President or go to high tea in London; I’m greeting my sweetheart at the end of his busy day with a so-glad-you-are-home smile and a neat appearance, and a sweet fragrance.  There is so much more we can do to use the things we save for someone or something special – and, too often, we never use them at all.  Let me hear your thoughts, your plans and how you make the everyday special.  For those you love.  For yourself!)

Happy Easter

I live, I live because He is risen;
I live with power over sin.
I live, I live because He is risen;
I live to worship Him.

Thank You, Jesus! Thank You, Jesus!
Because You’re alive, because You’re alive,
Because You’re alive, I live!



Song: ‘I Live, I Live Because He Is Risen’
Words and music by Rich Cook

She's A Lady!

You may remember that Daffodil, my little vintage trailer, was a guy’s hunting ‘rig’ before I bought her.  As such she saw things she won’t be seeing again.  One of those things was this sign that was hanging on the wall inside.

The sign has been removed.  After all, she is a lady!

At The Cross

Oh Lord You've searched me
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me

Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now

You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me

Song: 'At The Cross'
Written and sung by Hillsong

A Last Minute Find

Have you ever decided – at the last minute – to go back and look again?  And when you did, you found just the perfect thing?  Something that made your heart sing?  It has happened to me more than once – and it happened again just a few days ago.

Last week my sweetheart, my dear, little mother and I were in a Goodwill not too far from home.  We stopped there on our way home from lunch out together.  We had pretty much finished browsing and shopping when I realized I had not looked at anything on the back wall of the store.  The linens, bedding, curtains and things like that are on rods mounted to the back wall.  I didn’t really think I needed to look there but, as is the case most of the time, I was afraid I might miss something.  And this time I was right!

My eyes scanned the colors and patterns of everything hanging there.  I looked ahead and saw something that caught my eye.  I may never know why, but it did.  Except now I know it was meant for me!  It was an afghan – a beautiful, heavy afghan with a hand-woven look – new, just out of the package.  I could tell from the fold lines that were still very fresh.  And the tags that were still attached. Something was embroidered in one corner and when I saw it I knew the reason I felt the need to go back and look.  This is what I saw:

I could hardly believe it!  I was planning to put an afghan in my little trailer.  My little trailer named Daffodil.  Here it was.  Right in front of me.  And such a good price.  I couldn’t leave it there – I had to bring it home!  And I did!

A few days later I found the yellow quilt I had hoped to add to my trailer.  On clearance.  Here’s a sneak peek of the quilt with my new afghan on top.  Don’t they look good together?

Do you see a theme happening here?  Flowers.  Daffodils.  A garden.  A garden filled with kindness.  That’s what I want for my little, vintage trailer – to be a place of kindness and grace.  A place of retreat and rest.  She will – and I know she will bring a harvest of love.

Willamette Falls

My house is a very short distance from a major river in Western Oregon.  The Willamette (pronounced will-a-met, the 'a' is like the 'a' in apple) River.  If you are in my hometown and ask for directions to the Willamette River you will be directed down Holly Street – right past my house.  Holly Street ends at the river.  Less than ten miles downstream from my home the river makes an abrupt change.  A major waterfall attracts visitors and residents alike.  Willamette Falls has been an attraction for hundreds of years.   Oregon City, the first incorporated city in Oregon, was built on the banks of the river near the falls.  Many years ago the highway department built a nice viewpoint and you almost always see someone stopped there to look at the falls.  The falls seem to draw attention no matter the time of year or the weather.  In the summer much less water goes over the falls than in the winter.  So far this year we’ve had enough rain to make us wonder if the falls will change much at all this year.  A recent visit to the falls amazed me – the river was still very high and there was so much water flowing over the rocks below.  It was almost enough to make you question whether or not it’s really a waterfall!

Willamette Falls is a natural waterfall that is shaped like a horseshoe. It’s the largest waterfall in the Pacific Northwest and the second largest in the United States behind Niagara Falls. It is the eighteenth largest in the world by water volume.
You can read more about the falls and its effect on Oregon history here.
Early power plants produced electricity to light the streetlights of nearby Oregon City.  Not long afterward it also pumped enough electricity over fourteen miles of wire to light fifty-five street lamps in downtown Portland, twelve miles down river.  The T. W. Sullivan plant was the first major long distance hydroelectric power plant for commercial transmission and distribution of current in the United States.  It is still in operation.  This historical marker tells some of the history at the viewpoint beside the highway.

I love the view of the falls from down river a ways.  I always enjoy the beauty but I often wonder what it was like before we began to settle here and build all around it.  It must have been amazing!  There is a fascination and a bit of mystery that surrounds the mighty falls.  At times it almost seems to stand still as it rages on toward the sea.

A favorite view of mine: seen from the other side, on a sunny day, looking across to Oregon City with Mt. Hood in the background.

Thank Heaven For Little Girls

Today is a special day in our family.  Our dear, little Miss H. is one!  A year ago we welcomed her into our family – and into our arms and our hearts!  She is a little sweetie pie and lives life with a happy smile.  She is a special gift from our Heavenly Father, we know.  A year ago she seemed so tiny.
The year has gone by much too fast and she has grown and learned so much.  She walks now and when she sits down she claps her hands and celebrates.   

We can’t imagine what life would be like without our precious little girl.  She has added a special, new ‘something’ to our lives.

Thank heaven for little girls
for little girls get bigger every day!

Thank heaven for little girls
they grow up in the most delightful way!

Those little eyes so helpless and appealing
one day will flash and send you crashin' thru the ceilin'

Thank heaven for little girls
thank heaven for them all,
no matter where, no matter who
for without them, what would little boys do?

Thank heaven... thank heaven...
Thank heaven for little girls!

We love you, Miss H.  Papa and I can’t wait for your party on Saturday.  We have lots of hugs saved up.  Just for you!

The Key

Several weeks ago, in anticipation of the arrival of my new, little vintage trailer, I ordered something special from etsy.com.  Every trailer has a lock.  And locks need keys.  And keys need key rings – so they don’t get lost.  Having a key ring is a good thing but, hey, who wants just any old key ring?  Not me!  I wanted something special.  Something that would shout at me: ‘Here are your trailer keys, ma’am!’  A talented lady has an Etsy shop filled with key rings and earrings all about vintage trailers.  (She makes other things, too.) You can visit her shop here.  Look at these cute, little teardrop trailer earrings.

These necklaces caught my eye.  Aren’t they sweet?  See the little yellow trailer?

These little trailers all have ‘wings’ on them (at the top on the back).  My trailer is a style that doesn’t have wings so I emailed Joy and asked if she could make a key ring without wings.  She quickly responded to tell  me she could do that, so I ordered them right away.  A few hours after I sent my order she let me know that my order was ready! And she sent a picture so I could see it.  I could hardly believe her fast service.  My order was in the mail the next day and arrived a couple of days after that.  I could hardly wait to show you! See what I got for my trailer keys?  It even has a bottle opener.  And I got some earrings to match!
One of these days we will repaint Daffodil – we’ll give her a facelift, of sorts – and she will look much like the little trailer on her key ring.  Someday Daffodil and I will be ready to go on an outing together.  When we do she will be showing off her new colors and I’ll be wearing my new earrings.  And I’ll tell you all about it!

(Caution: don’t go near etsy.com unless you are prepared to become addicted.  Consider yourself warned!)

Daffodil Dreams

Recently I told you here about a dream of mine that was about to come true. It has happened – my dream did come true! My little, vintage trailer is home and I am proud to introduce you to her. She has come home and now she is part of our family. Over the next few months she and I will spend an incredible amount of time together. At first our time will be spent in close-up and personal moments (and hours!). Time spent getting acquainted with each other. Then, one day in the not too distant future – I hope! - she and I will ride off into the sunset (or sunrise or noontime sunshine or rain – whatever the weather) together for some fun and friendship with other gals and their sweet friends.

I would like you to meet. . .Daffodil!

She is a nineteen-sixty-seven Williams Craft vintage trailer. My very own! She is fourteen feet long. Just enough room inside for me to have a place to call my own. A girl-y girl haven. A place to make all mine. She isn’t in her prime yet – she is about to blossom and break out in full bloom one of these days!

I had hoped to have a trailer with windows that were big enough to let a lot of light in – windows that would bring the outdoors in. I have windows! Lots of windows. Even more windows than I dreamed possible. The kitchen window is on the front and there are windows on each side at the back. And one big window all across the back. The windows wrap all around the back!

See my sweetheart’s new green ladder reflected in the window of the trailer? He thought I might need to use it. As soon as we brought her home I gave her a bath. A much-needed bath!

Don’t I look lovely in my sweetheart’s rain pants? And his big, clunky, warm boots that are a couple of sizes too big for me? He wanted me to stay dry. And warm. Now I need a whole new wardrobe for things like this. I’ve already spotted rain gear for ladies in the loveliest soft aqua-green color. And boots? I need some cute boots. Girl boots! Why? Because I’ll be doing this again. I know I will.

We have a lot of work to do on this little gem. From time to time you can look in on our progress as things move along. I’ll show you some of the pretty things I’ve gathered and some of the projects that are planned along the way. I’ve been dreaming daffodil dreams! Dreams of what this cute, little trailer can become as she blossoms and unfolds. That’s what Daffodils do, you know!

Faith

I believe in the sun, even though it doesn’t shine,

I believe in love, even when I’m alone,

I believe in God, even when he is silent.

(carved on the wall of a concentration camp)

An Unexpected Find

Yesterday I shared about my trip to Camas Antiques with my friend, Mary and I promised to show you something I bought while we shopped together. There were several things I hoped to find - and I did find some of them (to be shared another time). But the first thing I saw absolutely captured my heart! I just couldn't walk away without it.

We had hardly begun to shop when I looked into a booth across the way - and my heart almost stopped. It was SO me! She knew it and I did, too. I tried to walk away and ignore it while I shopped on. In fact, we were at the front counter about to pay for our finds when I went back one more time. Just to look. And to tell myself I really didn't need this. But I knew I would regret it if I left it there. And I haven't been sorry that I decided to carry it to the front, pay for it and bring it home with me. No ma'am. Not for one minute have I regretted my decision!

This is what I saw. And what I brought home to my kitchen.

These vintage canisters don’t look like they’ve ever been used! They are in perfect condition. And I love it. They have added such a sweet ‘something’ to my kitchen.

One of these days I plan to make new window coverings for my kitchen window and the patio door in the adjoining dining area. The fabric I have put away for the valances is yellow – and blue – and white! Perfect, wouldn’t you say?

The flowers on my new canisters are just the touch of Spring I needed to add to my kitchen. Every day. All year long. Now it feels like the sun is shining in my kitchen no matter what the weather is doing outside my window!

A Special Treat

The chance to meet and spend time with a blog friend is such a special treat. Last week I got to meet another blog friend. Her words and photos always inspire me and I couldn't wait to meet her. Not long after we met I knew what I had sensed every time I read her blog - we are truly kindred spirits. It was wonderful, and we had such a good time together. I only wish it could have lasted longer. Or, that she lived closer to me so we could do this often!

Last week Mary of Mary’s Meanderings (and her hubby) passed through my area on their way to a conference. We had arranged to meet, have lunch together and then make a trip to Camas Antiques – a favorite place to shop with friends. If you’re ever in my area I would love to take you there.

What fun we had together! We discovered so many wonderful things and enjoyed browsing together. These vintage gas lanterns captured my imagination. (Hmmm, wonder if I need one of these in a certain little, vintage trailer?) These lanterns have been ‘electrified’. Little bulbs under the mantels give off a soft glow.

This old lantern would make a great night light. In the background you can see a little light that was made from a vintage grater.

There were a lot of things to see in a short time but we tried to see it all! I liked this cute lamp made from an old coffee pot. And the wicker thermos and the cute birdhouse made from recycled wood caught my eye.

Time went too fast and it wasn’t long before we had to goodbye. While we were together we exchanged gifts – gifts given from the heart of one friend to another. Mary’s gifts to me were so sweet. Chosen just for me!

I love this little pillow – it hangs where I can see it often every day. It reminds me how I should answer when I hear God’s voice!

Mary knows that I love pretty plates and she chose this one for me.

Memories of the time I spent with Mary and her hubby will stay with me forever. It was a day that blessed me in ways I never thought possible. The bond of friendship was formed in our hearts and I’m so thankful for every moment we had together.

(Tomorrow I will show you something special I bought that day at Camas Antiques!)

Finally–Immediately

Lord

You said so gently

So persistently

‘Give me your weariness

And I will give you rest."’

I did – finally.

You did – immediately.

Then, Lord, I marveled

That I had waited so long.

Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’ Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

from the writings of Ruth Harms Calkin